Jane Hollin Updated May 2012

Dissertation tips for MSc MTD

1. Dissertation calendar 2012: Draft Literature R (3 - 3,500 words) 6 June 13 June 8 May 30 May 6 June 2012 submission date 17th August 2012 Draft methodology (2 - 3,000 words) 20 June 27 June 7 June N/A Draft data analysis & discussion (3-6,000 words) 11 July 18 July 2 July 30 July 5 Aug 2012 Final Draft (12-15,000 words) 6 August 13 August N/A N/A

Student submission dates Feedback from supervisor Group meetings JH on leave

Note: Individual meetings will be interspersed at times between the group meetings. To be advised in advance of dates. All individual meetings will be held on the same day of the week for ease of coordination, if possible. 2. What research activities you need to carry out during this period.

Consideration of your topic (as per RM3) Defined objectives clarity and concise (as per RM3) Consider methodology & instruments of data collection clear reasons for choices Obtain information sources Setting up a meeting system and schedule Managing and selecting appropriate system/package of references Keeping records/research journal Plan the whole period Develop research questions/hypotheses Plan for access to research sites, archives etc. Collect data Analyse data Develop conclusions Develop recommendations Reporting your research Complete analysis Interpret results Develop communications Seek feedback Respond to feedback Editing your work Proof/editing reading time Submission of drafts on time

Jane Hollin Updated May 2012

3.

Submission of resumes of any meetings you have with supervisor.

This includes presentation, analysis, discussion, reflection, and personal learning. It should be e-mailed to your supervisor at your earliest opportunity. 4. Discussion topics and compulsory readings before individual and group meetings with supervisor.

It is expected that you will have read all the required reading and be familiar with the topics covered in the Research Methods programme course. Some further reading is provided below. You can find references for research methods on the Dissertation course descriptor in the MTD Programme Handbook. 4.1 Theory, problem definition and frameworks

Reading: Anderson (2009) Research Methods in Human Resource Management, 2nd edition, CIPD publishing. Review chapter on The nature of Research in HR. 4.2 Literature review 4.3 Research questions/hypotheses 4.4 Research methodology Reading: Anderson (2009) Research Methods in Human Resource Management, 2nd edition, CIPD publishing. Review chapter on Approaches to gathering data in HR research. 4.5 Research strategies and designs Research strategies: quantitative versus qualitative. (Use literature to justify and argue your case). Research designs: case study, experimental, longitudinal, comparative, cross-sectional. (Use literature to justify and argue your case). Reading: Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education 6th Ed. London, Routledge. Review chapter on Research Design Issues: planning research.

Jane Hollin Updated May 2012

4.6 Data collection instruments research methods Interviews (structured, semi-structured, loose etc) Telephone Postal Emails/electronic Focus groups Documentary data Observation, participant observation Questionnaire etc (Always explain and justify why you select one or more data collection instrument(s) and consider reasons for not selecting alternative(s) using appropriate literature). Reading: Currie (2005) Developing and Applying Study Skills, CIPD publishing. Review Chapter on Collecting Primary Data. Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education 6th Ed. London, Routledge. Review relevant chapters. 4.7. Sampling strategies What is your sampling strategy, be realistic and pragmatic (Costs? Time? Accuracy? Errors?) Reading: Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education 6th Ed. London Routledge. Review Chapter on Sampling. 5. Some more online resources to help with dissertation study Research methods knowledge base http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/contents.php Website: Business research methods for non-profits and for-profits http://www.managementhelp.org/research/research.htm Please note: There is a new 2011 edition on the Cohen, Manion and Morrison text on Research Methods. However, e-book on 6th edition (2007) should be available online from the university library.

Source: Serge Koukpaki, Claire Valentin and Jane Hollin.